A new Skyscanner trends report says 30% of Canadians plan on travelling more in 2026. They’re also putting a premium on value destinations.
This week, Skyscanner unveiled its 2026 travel trends report, highlighting insights into Canadian travel behaviour and spending in the year ahead.
Drawing from proprietary data, a global survey of more than 20,000 travellers, and trusted industry insights, the findings highlight everything Canadians need to know for the year ahead.
For 62% of Canadians, the cost of flights is the highest determining factor when it comes to choosing a destination, with 70% budgeting the same amount or more towards travel.
The cost of accommodations was listed as a determining travel factor by 58% of respondents, while 37% cited the price for food and drinks.
Skyscanner also looked at the most popular destinations for Canadians and the best value destinations.
Trending Destinations for Canadians
Canadian travel behaviour in 2026 shows a growing appetite for destinations that balance cultural discovery, coastal charm, and vibrant city life. From Portugal’s Azores to the Caribbean’s capital cities and dynamic urban centres in Mexico and Taiwan, Canadians are prioritizing warm weather, authenticity and accessibility. They are mixing international adventures with closer-to-home escapes, choosing destinations that celebrate natural beauty, cultural vibrancy and a sense of connection.
Here are the top 10 destinations with the biggest year-on-year increase in searches:
- Terceira Lajes, Azores, Portugal: +209% increase
- Basseterre, Saint Kitts: +170% increase
- Castries, Saint Lucia: +160% increase
- Guadalajara, Mexico: +146% increase
- Comox, B.C.: +145% increase
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan: +122% increase
- Victoria, B.C.: +115% increase
- Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador: +105% increase
- Lyon, France: +99% increase
- Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal: +98% increase
*Source: Destinations seeing increase in flight searches between 01JAN, 2025 and 30 JUN, 2025 for travel throughout 2025 compared to the same period in 2024
These are the top 10 best value destinations*:
- Lyon, France: –35% price drop
- Dublin, Ireland: –29% price drop
- Seoul, South Korea: –22% price drop
- Bucharest, Romania: –21% price drop
- Zurich, Switzerland: –21% price drop
- Venice, Italy: –20% price drop
- Ponta Delgada, Portugal: –20% price drop
- Mexico City, Mexico: –16% price drop
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates: –16% price drop
- Marrakech, Morocco: –16% price drop
*Based on per cent price drop for economy class return flight booked between 01JAN, 2025 and 30JUN, 2025 for travel throughout 2025 compared to the same period in 2024
Skyscanner Key Trends
The 2026 report uncovers seven key trends, all reflecting how this is the year travel gets personal, driven by a desire for community, authenticity, and new paths of exploration.
- Glowmads: Rising interest in beauty and skincare is influencing real-world travel behaviours. Gen Z is pioneering this trend, with 36% planning to seek out beauty treatments and skincare stores while travelling in 2026.
- Altitude Shift: Canadians are seeking a new point of view in their travel endeavours in 2026. Mountains are having their moment, with 74% of Canadian travellers considering or planning a mountain escape for summer or autumn 2026, highlighting that mountains attract visitors well beyond the winter season. Finding peak serenity is a priority, with 61% of travellers booking mountain travel for peace and quiet.
- Bookbound: Reading is having a global renaissance, translating into literary-led travel behaviours - from visiting destinations inspired by beloved books, to planning holidays around reading retreats. 48% of Canadians say that they have booked, or would consider booking a trip inspired by literature.
- Family Miles: With the cost of living rising, many are embracing multi-generational travel with 34% of Gen Z adults citing saving money as a core incentive to travel with family. This trend benefits the whole family, with 54% of adults saying family travel is a chance to make memories, and 29% saying that it’s a chance to truly connect with each other.
- Catching Flights & Feelings: Travel in 2026 is about the place and the people. 50% of Canadian travellers have gone or have considered going overseas specifically to meet new people. Connecting with others is a key driver for travel, with 24% hoping to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, and 21% to foster meaningful friendships.
- Destination Check-In: Travellers are increasingly choosing where to go based on where they want to stay. In 2026, hotels and accommodations aren’t just places to sleep, they’re becoming the destination itself. Forty-four per cent of travellers say they have picked a destination solely because of the accommodations, and 27% are planning to book a stay that is part of the experience. From striking architecture to transportive design, travellers are prioritizing unique stays that shape the entire journey.
- Shelf Discovery: 58% of travellers say they always or often visit supermarkets abroad to stock up on local flavours. 2026 is all about exploring destinations belly first, and 41% of Canadians are going to local supermarkets to discover meals, snacks or drinks they can’t get at home.
